With 12 Offices and $600 Million in Sales, Lang McLaughry Spera Becomes One of New England’s Leading Firms January 31, 2007, South Burlington, VT--Three of New England’s oldest and most respected real estate firms—Lang Associates, McLaughry Real Estate and Pall Spera Company—today announced they have merged to form the largest real estate company in Vermont and northern New Hampshire, and the third-largest independent in all of New England. The new firm, Lang McLaughry Spera, serves homebuyers and sellers in the two-state geographic area encompassing the Upper Connecticut River Valley, the Central Vermont and Stowe areas and Northwestern Vermont including the Champlain Valley. With 12 offices, a 200-member sales and support team and more than $600 million in combined sales, Lang McLaughry Spera immediately establishes itself as one of the leading real estate companies in the Northeast.“I can’t begin to describe how excited I am at this merger, and what it will mean in terms of benefits to clients when it comes to buying or selling their properties,” said Staige Davis, owner of Lang Associates and chief executive officer of the new firm.“This is truly a unique merger which brings together three highly regarded companies from separate, non-competing markets. Joining forces creates a tremendous opportunity to expand our presence from local players into a formidable regional firm. For our customers, it means increased exposure on a regional and national level, additional services, greater marketing support and increased exposure of their properties. We’re proud to not only retain the names of each of the firms, but also the past history, connections and local market expertise as well.”The merger has substantial benefits for the company’s sales associates as well, Davis said. “By working for one company in distinct, non-competing markets, our associates will benefit from a true esprit de corps, comprehensive training and educational materials, and enhanced purchasing power through combined ads, marketing programs, referrals and other media resources. Our sales associates are now part of the largest independent real estate brokerage firm in northern New England.”Davis said yard signs reflecting the company’s new logo for the local offices are currently being produced and will be in place in February.Buff McLaughry, owner of McLaughry Real Estate, will serve as chief operating officer, while Pall Spera, owner of Pall Spera Company, will serve as president of the luxury brand.The merger brings together the talents, resources, experience and deeply-rooted community involvement of three of the area’s longest-operating independent firms. McLaughry Real Estate was founded in 1959, and Lang Associates and Pall Spera Company were both founded in 1969.Steve Murray, publisher of real estate industry research firm, Real Trends, called the merger “unique from a number of perspectives. Here you have three extremely successful, independent firms from three distinct markets coming together under one organizational roof to create a significant regional presence. That in itself is remarkable. Next, when was the last time you’ve heard of such a merger of this magnitude that resulted in zero job reductions and no shuffling of management?”“This merger portends very good things for homebuyers and sellers throughout northern New England” Murray added. “As just one benefit to buyers and sellers, Lang McLaughry Spera will market properties which are offered in the multiple listing services statewide, rather than locally, in both Vermont and New Hampshire.”In New Hampshire, the new company’s offices are located in Hanover, West Lebanon and Grantham. In Vermont, offices are located in Fairlee, Middlebury, Morrisville, Norwich, South Burlington, St. Albans, Stowe, Stowe Village and Woodstock.About Lang McLaughry SperaLang McLaughry Spera is Vermont and Northern New Hampshire’s largest real estate company with 12 offices and more than $600 million in sales in 2006. According to Real Trends, an industry research firm, the company is the third-largest independent real estate firm in all of New England. With corporate offices based in So. Burlington, Lang McLaughry Spera continues affiliations with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Luxury Portfolio, the Board of Regents, Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate and other leading industry organizations. For additional information, visit www.LMSRE.com. Additional information can be found at: www.langrealestate.com, www.mclaughry.com and www.pallspera.com. This month, the company distributed its winter edition of the Lang Lion & Davis Portfolio, a four-color magazine of New Hampshire’s and Vermont’s finest homes.